HYDRO ENERGY

HYDROPOWER: SMALL AND MEDIUM HYDRO POWER PLANTS

The Atlas of the Hydropower Resource demonstrates that, in addition to the high potential of the Kwanza, Queve, Catumbela and Cunene basins (representing 86% of the total estimated potential), other numerous rivers throughout the territory have conditions to hold projects of smaller dimension. Small hydro plants are the most economical alternative amongst the various renewable technologies studied, however, there is a significant variation between projects due to the specific characteristics of each site in terms of flow and fall.
A database of about 100 appropriate locations for small hydropower plants (SHPP) is currently being constructed.
These SHPP can in some cases reach over 10 MW of power output. Other locations proposed by different investors to construct medium-sized hydro power plants supplement the SHPP locations database.

The strategy for new renewable energy sets a target of 100 MW for small hydropower plants up to 10 MW. As mentioned in the initial chapter on rural electrification, 7 sites were selected to electrify isolated systems, representing a total of 30 MW. The remaining 70 MW will be carried out through highly interesting powerplants in areas close to the main network, some of which are already underway.

Additionally, 270 MW of new medium hydro power plants are expected by 2025. These include Cune and Cunhinga run-of-river projects as planned in the HydroThermal Project, the hydroelectric system of Luapasso and a medium-scale plant to be built in the river Cuango - taking advantage of the
enormous flow rate and high falls and allowing to proceed with the electrification of that highly populated region until the interconnection between the north and east systems.
The map in figure 41 represents the hydro power potential, the projects identified and the small and medium hydro power plant projects selected.

ATLAS, POTENTIA PROJECTS AND SMALL AND MEDIUM HYDROPOWER PLANT PROECTS